Kitchen Remodeling in Utica with the Future in Mind

Ask any high school athlete with a broken leg, or a baby boomer recovering from a hip replacement, and they will both say that an accessible kitchen is a priority for anyone of any age. And the perfect time to incorporate this functionality into a kitchen is when remodeling.Universal kitchen design, aging in place, and accessibility are three terms most people don’t think about when remodeling their kitchens. However, these are some of the hottest trends in the kitchen design industry. It’s just common sense to design the center of the home so that everyone, including multi-generational households, can use the kitchen and enjoy cooking and preparing meals for their loved ones.How to Make a Kitchen AccessibleOne way to make a kitchen more livable and convenient is to incorporate countertops of varying heights, along with an accessible layout. Comfort and efficiency are key. As counters are usually thirty-six inches in height, taller family members may appreciate a higher workspace to avoid back pain, and shorter or older ones may need a lower countertop so they may sit in comfort while working.Pull-out shelves or cutting boards can provide a great way to extend countertop workspace. And open space under the cooktop and sink allows room for seating or wheelchair accessibility. Placement of the microwave below countertop height on an island is a great way to make it convenient for every family member, even young ones, to use safely.EntrywaysWhenever possible, remodeling designers recommend widening every doorway to a minimum of thirty-two inches. Nothing is more frustrating than being able to enter a home, but not being able to fit through the doorway to the kitchen or bathroom, due to a walker, wheelchair, or crutches. Extra room also allows people to more easily enter carrying bags of groceries and large packages, and more room around a kitchen island or refrigerator can make a huge difference. Best practices recommend clear space of thirty to forty inches around a cooktop for easy access.Drawers and Pull-out ShelvingHomeowners who are “vertically challenged” often have trouble accessing the top shelves in their kitchen cabinets. A hinged mechanism can be installed to literally lower the contents down to the family member, instead of having to climb on a stool.Pull-out shelves have been popular in pantries for many years and are increasingly being used in upper and lower kitchen cabinets as well. They are truly cost savers because older food items are not lost until they expire or are replaced!Kitchen designers highly recommend incorporating a tall, narrow, vertical, sliding pull-out shelf near the refrigerator to hold spices, canned goods, and condiments. This is the most effective way to visually take stock of what items are low and need replenishment.Another vertical cabinet for storing extra cutting boards, cookie sheets, and more is an ideal way to keep them accessible and visible. Adding in pull-out trash and recycling bins keeps them hidden away until needed.It’s the Little ThingsOne woman had recessed shelves incorporated into both ends of her new kitchen island (hidden under the countertop) and uses one end for frequently used cookbooks and the other end for a convenient charging station. (Multiple electrical and USB outlets on an island are a must!) Both ends work to keep her island countertop clean and clear of clutter.Little things like knob handles can be big obstacles for someone with arthritis, small hands, or limited mobility. Increasingly, levers, wider handles, or touch-operated faucets and cabinet hardware are highly recommended for every new and remodeled home. The cost is minimal, and the design impact of attractive, stylish knobs and pulls is huge!Seeing is BelievingOne of the major complaints about older kitchens is their overall lack of light. Without proper lighting, kitchen accidents are more likely. Natural lighting should be incorporated whenever possible. Task lighting and ambient (room) lighting are both important when planning a kitchen remodel. It’s ideal to have dimmers installed over some areas so that they can be left on overnight as a night light, or when low lighting is desired for a cocktail party.One woman had remodeled her kitchen a few years ago and selected dark countertops to coordinate with her cherry cabinets. She soon experienced sight issues and had trouble finding things on her countertops. Even with undercabinet lighting, she found it difficult to see if her countertops were clean. If the design warrants a darker countertop, it is critical to ensure extra lighting makes it easy to see.The Experts Weigh InWhen looking for kitchen remodeling ideas for a universal or accessible kitchen design, look no further than the experts. According to NARI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, there are seven principles of universal design:

1. Equitable use - Designing to be marketable and useful to anyone with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in use - Incorporates a vast range of preferences and individual abilities.
3. Simple and intuitive use - Designing so that its use of design is simple to understand no matter that person’s individual speaking skills, comprehension, familiarity, or awareness level.
4. Perceptible information - The overall design communicates the required information to its user, regardless of their hearing, sight or speech abilities.
5. Tolerance for error - Designing to virtually eliminate or at least minimize hazardous conditions and accidental actions.
6. Low physical effort - The design incorporates both efficiency and comfort to lessen the user’s fatigue level.
7. Size and space for approach and use - Design integrates appropriate space and size for reaching and attaining an item, no matter their height, mobility level, or posture.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas in UticaWhen homeowners are ready to remodel their outdated and dysfunctional kitchens, there are top remodeling firms in Utica with the experience and expertise to make their dreams a reality. Elements of universal design can be integrated into their overall design plan and become virtually seamless. Incorporating modifications into the planning phase for future needs is truly a smart move!